Super Cookies (HTML5 Web Storage)

HTML5 Web Storage, often referred to as "Super Cookies," represents a significant evolution in web storage capabilities, allowing websites to store large amounts of data directly on the user's local system. Unlike traditional cookies, which are limited to 4KB of data, HTML5 Web Storage can store up to 10MB of text-based data per domain. This capability enhances web applications by allowing for more complex data to be stored client-side, facilitating offline use cases, faster page loads, and more personalized user experiences.

Types of HTML5 Web Storage

HTML5 Web Storage is divided into two main types:

1. LocalStorage: Designed for long-term data storage, LocalStorage data persists across browser sessions. Data stored in LocalStorage does not expire and remains until explicitly cleared by the user or the web application.

2. SessionStorage: Aimed at storing data for a single session, SessionStorage data is cleared when the tab or window is closed. It is ideal for sensitive data that should not persist beyond the current session.

Locations of HTML5 Web Storage Files

The storage locations for HTML5 Web Storage vary by browser:

• Mozilla Firefox: HTML5 data is stored within the webappstore.sqlite file located in the user's profile directory. The path to this file is typically %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<randomtext>.default\webappstore.sqlite.

• Google Chrome: Chrome stores its Local Storage data within the Local Storage directory under the user's profile. The typical path is %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Local Storage.

• Microsoft Edge: Similar to Chrome, Edge stores HTML5 data in the Local Storage directory within the user's profile. The path is usually %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\<Profile>\Local Storage.

Forensic Relevance of HTML5 Web Storage

In digital forensics and incident response, HTML5 Web Storage is a valuable source of evidence. It can contain information about user interactions with websites, preferences, and potentially sensitive data. Forensic examiners can analyze the contents of HTML5 Web Storage to:

• Identify user activities and interactions with specific websites.

• Recover data that may indicate user preferences, settings, or even credentials stored by web applications.

• Track and understand sessions, especially in cases involving SessionStorage, to piece together user actions within a specific timeframe.

Challenges and Considerations

While HTML5 Web Storage provides a wealth of information for forensic analysis, it also presents challenges:

• Data Volume: The large amount of data that can be stored may require significant analysis effort and filtering to identify relevant information.

• Encryption and Obfuscation: Web applications may encrypt or obfuscate the data stored in HTML5 Web Storage, requiring additional steps to decode or interpret the information.